Dale Reid defends Solheim Cup wildcards

European Solheim Cup captain Dale Reid has a few fights on her hands - and they don't even involve her American opponents.

Reid's fellow countrymen are upset that she overlooked another Scot - Catriona Matthew - as one of her five wild-card picks for the biennial showdown against the United States.

Matthew, who played in the 1998 event, has a strong case for being on the 12-woman team when play begins on Friday at the spectacular Loch Lomond course.

"I think she's got every reason to be upset, the girl's a darn good golfer," Reid said on Tuesday as high winds and heavy rain limited practice for the women's version of the Ryder Cup.

Only two of Reid's five wild cards - Janice Moodie, a Scot, and Carin Koch - rank higher on the LPGA money list than Matthew.

Instead, Reid opted for experience in picking Liselotte Neumann, Helen Alfredsson and Catrin Nilsmark - three Swedes who have played 14 Solheims between them.

"I am very disappointed that Catriona did not get in the team as well," Reid said. "I've played the golf course, and I feel I've picked the team in the best interest of the European side.

  "I've gone with a side where I believe they're good match players. I would have loved to have another Scot in the team, but there's nothing I feel I have to justify. I feel I've picked the winning side and that's what we have to go with."

Reid has other headaches, with Annika Sorenstam - one of the seven automatic qualifiers - upset that her sister, Charlotta, was overlooked.

"I was really shocked when I saw the picks," Sorenstam said.

Charlotta Sorenstam has an even stronger case than Matthew. Of the European wild cards, only Moodie ranks higher in LPGA winnings.

Reid said she passed over Charlotta Sorenstam because of "personal problems."

This will be the sixth edition of the Solheim Cup and Europe will be looking to improve on a record of just one triumph.

However, the portents are good with Europe's sole victory coming eight years ago when the event was last played in Scotland - at the Dalmahoy in Edinburgh.

Reid has called her team "slight favorites" this time, based on the experienced edge Laura Davies, Alison Nicholas, Alfredsson and Neumann add.